The growth of research expenditures in FY 2003 reflects an upward trend in the amount of extramural dollars awarded to MU faculty researchers during the four fiscal years beginning in FY 1999. While total research awards declined slightly during the previous fiscal year, new funding awards for infrastructure will likely boost both the near- and long-term prospects of MU's research enterprise.

"In a time of declining state funding, external grants for research and the development of institutional infrastructure become more and more important," says Vice Provost for Research Jim Coleman. "MU's faculty have not only been writing grants to support their research activity, but they have also been successful at gaining outside support for constructing and renovating current facilities. MU can boast of many entrepreneurial faculty, who leverage their institutional support 5, 10, 20 or more times to win competitive grants that support the research community."